Report: Kevin Steele Hired as Alabama Defensive Coordinator

Steele was defensive coordinator for Nick Saban during his first season with the Crimson Tide in 2007.

After reports began circulating on Saturday evening that former Nick Saban assistant Kevin Steele could potentially return to Alabama to serve as defensive coordinator, Sunday evening brought an end to the speculation.

According to Chris Low of ESPN, Steele has accepted the defensive coordinator job at Alabama, making this Steele's third stint with the Crimson Tide since Saban's arrival back in 2007.

Kevin Steele has accepted the job as @AlabamaFTBL’s defensive coordinator, sources tell ESPN. This will be Steele’s third different stint under Nick Saban at Bama. Steele, a 39-year coaching veteran, was @CanesFootball’s DC last season. He’s coached at four different SEC schools.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 5, 2023

Over the past 72 hours, Steele has emerged as a legitimate candidate for the Alabama defensive coordinator position, which was left vacant after former DC Pete Golding departed for the same job at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin. According to John Brice of FootballScoop, multiple sources informed him that Steele has spoken with Saban within the past week.

Steele is no stranger to Alabama fans. After serving as defensive coordinator in 2007 on Saban's first staff in Tuscaloosa, he then moved to serve as inside linebackers coach in 2008 when Kirby Smart replaced him.

Steele then served as defensive coordinator for Clemson from 2009-12 before returning to Alabama in 2013 as the team's director of player personnel. In 2014, Steele was the Crimson Tide's linebackers coach before heading off once again, this time to LSU as defensive coordinator.

It should be noted that Steele amassed roughly four years of working through his two separate stints with Saban at Alabama, and approximately five years at Auburn. Should he remain with the Crimson Tide in any capacity for roughly one to two additional years, he would be fully vested in the state of Alabama's retirement system — the minimum requirement of which is 10 years.

Outside of his time at Alabama, Steele is no stranger to the SEC. He served as Auburn's defensive coordinator from 2016-20, including a brief stint in 2020 as the Tigers' interim head coach. In 2021, he also served as the interim head coach at Tennessee following the ousting of Pruitt.

In 2022, Steele was hired as defensive coordinator at Miami by Mario Cristobal, another former Saban assistant.

See Also:

Kevin Steele has Emerged as Alabama Defensive Coordinator Candidate

Report: Todd Grantham Returning to the NFL

Alabama Hiring Tommy Rees as New Offensive Coordinator